Social Support

​This volunteer role has a huge impact on staff, visitors and patients within our sites. Social support is an opportunity to spend time with patients in either a group setting or on a one to one basis. We encourage our social support volunteers to speak in their community language if that is appropriate and share their story with patients and visitors. The role operates 7 days a week with set shifts and also offers an opportunity for potential volunteers to enhance their listening and conversation skills. Group activities can include playing Bingo, watching a movie, cooking, or completing craft activities.

"I really enjoy being able to come in and spend some time with people that I have never met before. I find out so much about my local area from the older patients and being able to share my story with them is very good as it makes me feel really connected to my local community as I live alone now." Robyn aged 62 years (volunteering for 3 years in the Rehabilitation Ward)

Social support and group activities are offered across all sites and in a wide variety of wards, including: Children's Ward, Palliative Care Ward, Dialysis, Cardiac Care and Secure GEM. Similar opportunities are available at Hazeldean Transition Care in Williamstown.

"I have gained so much experience and knowledge from running a movie group on the ward every Friday afternoon. It has really helped with my studies and I have been able to learn so much about how patients need to be supported socially when they are in hospital. I just can't wait for the Friday to come every week and I feel really connected with my local health service" Bianca aged 20 years (volunteering on the GEM Ward for 2 years).